The location of Sitavana

Sitavana was another Vihara as its name suggests close to Veluvana and has been referenced to in many literatures, but its exact location is still quite a mystery. According to Pali sources it was a Cemetery during the ancient time. There are currently two functional cemeteries that are used for cremations to this date in the vicinity of Veluvana. Both these cemeteries are equidistant from Veluvana to the north and south with their roots lying in the ancient times. It is tough to decide based on just this evidence which of these would be the Sitavana from the Buddha times but reference to Xuanzang’s travelogue gives another clue. The Xuanzang mentions Sitavana in his record and according to him it was situated north of Veluvana. He further mentions that this was the same site where the first new fort (Rajgriha) was built for the safety of king Bimbisara after he moved his residence there, although there is no such mention of new fort location in the Pali Literatures. The other piece of evidence that we can put together is that the snake shaped mountain cave (Sappasondika pabbhāra) is in the proximity of Sitavana. The south cemetery seemed more probable a site, if we take that fact into account. The resolution of this mystery needs more evidences and even more discussion but it is still in the vicinity of Veluvana.


Location of Sitavana as per xuanzang description

Most suitable place for Sitavana as per Pali commentaries
As per the commentaries (Vin.ii.76) this cave was used as a residence by monks who come to Rajgriha from afar. Also, Sappasondika pabbhāra is mentioned as the place where Sariputra’s younger brother, Upasena (DhA.ii.188) died after a snake bite (S.iv.40). Upasena was an accomplished monk and he after his ordination; he actively worked to increase the number of holy men in the Sangha. Coincidently, all members of his group were extremely good looking and a charming bunch and so Buddha often referred to Upasena’s and his retinue as samantapāsādikānam, the best of those who were altogether charming (A.i.24)



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Sukhumala Sona at Sitavana

Sukhumala Sona was born in a rich family of a Usabhasetthi in the town of Campā. He had a softest and most glowing body and hence the name, it is said that his feet never touched hardness of the ground. His childhood much pampered filled with great comfort and opulence, to the extent that he had separate palaces of each season of the year. When king Bimbisara heard of him and his sheltered life, he invited him to visit with and learn from the Buddha. He graciously accepted and paid a visit with eighty thousand other people who belonged to his clan. But once he heard the Buddha speak in Rajgir and understood the meaning behind those spoken words, he became a devoted follower of the Buddha. To get him started on the spiritual path the Buddha gave him a subject for meditation and started practicing it at the Sitavana but he had a tough time focusing and controlling his mind, besides there were several visitors each day to distract him from his practice. Also, not being exposed to the roughness of natural earth his feet started bleeding and developed injuries during the walking meditation. He broke down and accepted that spiritual path is not meant for him in this lifetime and at the time the Buddha with the insight he had paid him a visit. The Buddha explained to him in the most softest of ways how win the turbulent mind with gentleness and by keeping the calm. The Buddha always explained his teaching with relation to the understanding of his pupil and since he knew that Sona was an expert player of Vina and was familiar with the workings of one, the Dhamma flew in the tune with a musician’s mind. (Cf. AA.ii.680)These preaching are popularly known as the Sona sutta (Vīnūpamovāda Sutta)
The Blessed One said to him, "Just now, as you were meditating in seclusion, didn't this train of thought appear to your awareness: 'Of the Blessed One's disciples who have aroused their persistence, I am one, but my mind is not released from the fermentations... What if I were to disavow the training, return to the lower life, enjoy wealth, & make merit?'"
"Yes, lord."
"Now what do you think, Sona. Before, when you were a house-dweller, were you skilled at playing the vina?"
"Yes, lord.""And what do you think: when the strings of your vina were too taut, was your vina in tune & playable?"
"No, lord."
"And what do you think: when the strings of your vina were too loose, was your vina in tune & playable?""No, lord.""And what do you think: when the strings of your vina were neither too taut nor too loose, but tuned to be right on pitch, was your vina in tune & playable?""Yes, lord." "In the same way, Sona, over-aroused persistence leads to restlessness, overly slack persistence leads to laziness. Thus you should determine the right pitch for your persistence, attune the pitch of the faculties, and there pick up your theme."
Once he understood the middle path that the Buddha wanted him to take, he gave his mission a fresh attempt and within no time attained Arahantship (Thag.vss.632). Since after he became an Arahant Sona understood the fine balance between trying too hard and giving up, the Buddha gave him permission to cover his feet with a single lining shoes. But being the true follower of the Buddha he refused citing the example that he has given up the luxuries of the physical world to be just like other monks and he wanted to be treated no different. Hearing these thoughts the Buddha allowed all monks to have the option of wearing shoes in a single lining.


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In vicinity of Veluvana

Veluvana was the first land devoted for practicing the Dhamma and with the popularity of the religion; the area of this retreat grew too. It stretched far beyond its present boundaries and despite the huge size there were many other places in the vicinity where monks used to stay and the Buddha frequently preached law at these mediation retreats. Sitavana one of such places, it was here the historic meeting between the Buddha and Anathapindika the rich merchant of Savatthi took place.

Anathapindika in Sitavana

Sudatta was one of the most important lay disciples of the Buddha he offered the Buddha the famous Jeta Grove, the place where the Buddha spent maximum Varsaka. Because of his generosity he was also called Anathapindika, feeder of helpless and orphans. Among the disciples he was also known as “foremost in generosity”. The foundation of this long association was an exemplary meeting that took place at Rajgir and it’s very well versed in Sudatta Sutta (Samyutta Nikaya SN 10)
Anathapindika was on a business trip to Rajgriha and found his brother-in-law busy supervising an organized meal for the Buddha and his Sangha the following day. The brother-in-law was a faithful disciple who had built 60 huts for the Sangha in Rajgriha. Hitherto, he had been accustomed to his brother-in-law's full attention and to the other residents of the house receiving him gladly, but now he saw that they were busy, eagerly making elaborate preparations. He asked his preoccupied brother-in-law what this meant: "A wedding, a major sacrifice or a visit from the king?" The brother-in-law explained that the reverend ‘Enlightened one’ has accepted his invitation for meal and would be visiting them with his Sangha the following day.
The mention of the ‘Enlightened one’ caught Anathapindika complete attention and asked multiple times to confirm what he has heard before expressing his delight. Then, breathing a deep sigh of relief, Anathapindika said, “Even the sound alone of these words is indeed rare in this world — the Enlightened One — can one really see him?" His brother-in-law answered that while that day was not the time, the following day would be appropriate to bask in his presence.
His excitement about the impending opportunity made his toss and turn all night, the thoughts and feelings of such an anticipation was hard to contain Finally he couldn’t pretend to sleep anymore and woke up before dawn and went in the direction of the monastery. In the pre-dawn darkness, however, fear overcame him, doubts arose within him, and all his worldly instincts told him to turn back, but an inner voice kept him motivated to continue on. So he walked resolutely, till he encountered an image in the misty dawn, a figure walking silently to and fro, Anathapindika stopped. The figure then reached out to him with an indescribably harmonious voice: "Come, Sudatta!"
Anathapindika was startled at being addressed by his name, for no one there knew him by his original name. He was only known as Anathapindika, and besides, he was unknown to the Buddha and had come unexpectedly. Now he was certain that he was in the presence of the Enlightened One. Overwhelmed by the gravity of the encounter, he fell at the feet of the Blessed One, and asked him in a stammering voice if he slept well.
The Buddha replied,
Always, always, he sleeps in ease, the Brahman totally unbound, who doesn't adhere to sensual pleasures, who's without acquisitions & cooled. Having cut all ties & subdued fear in the heart, calmed, he sleeps in ease, having reached peace of awareness.
With the answer to this conventional question, Anathapindika came a little closer to the supra-mundane reality, since the Enlightened One explained that the arahants were always well, for they were beyond all possibilities for suffering. And then the Enlightened One, leading him step by step, spoke to him of giving, of virtue, of the heavens, of the perils, vanity, and defiling nature of sensual pleasures, and of the benefits of renunciation.
When the Blessed One saw that Anathapindika the householder was ready in heart and mind, pliable, unobstructed, uplifted and serene, he gave him the explanation of the Teaching which is unique to the Enlightened Ones: the noble truth of suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path. With that, the pure eye of truth opened for Anathapindika: "Whatever has arisen must also cease." Anathapindika, who had understood the truth of the Teaching, had overcome all doubts and was without any wavering, certain in mind, and relying on no one else in the Master's Dispensation. He had achieved the attainment of stream-entry.
He then invited the Blessed One for a meal the next day at the home of his brother-in-law, and the Master accepted. After the meal, Anathapindika asked the Enlightened One if he might build a monastery for the Order in his hometown of Savatthi. The Buddha answered: "The Enlightened Ones love peaceful places." "I understand, O Master, I understand," answered Anathapindika, overjoyed with the acceptance of his offer. Buddha sent Sariputra to layout the plans for the buildings where he successfully designed lecture halls, meeting rooms, bedrooms, washrooms, a storage room, and other places of utilities; and thus became a renowned architect in the city. The Jethavana monastery thus became one of the popular places for meditation during rainy seasons; Buddha himself spent about 25 Vassavasa and delivered many discourses while staying here.


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